USS Gerald R. Ford in Palma Bay: Navy Checks Radiation Levels

Precaution Near Palma: Water and Sand Samples

Early Friday morning a large ship anchored in our bay, and the neighborhood immediately started talking. The USS Gerald R. Ford, a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, lay off Palma – a routine but thorough check by Spanish naval experts.

A small unit of environmental monitoring (GOVRA) arrived the same day. It moved to Porto Pi, unpacked measurement devices, buckets and sample jars, and got to work: water samples from the bay, sand samples at the Can Pere Antoni city beach and at nearby coastal sections.

What locals saw

Fishermen nearby wondered about the restricted zone, lifeguards on the promenade photographed the blue-clad units, and an older couple at a Café on Passeig Mallorca dryly noted that you only notice how present a ship is once it is there.

The operation proceeded smoothly. Measuring devices hummed, samples were labeled and placed in cooling boxes. The specialists were supported by local naval services and port authorities. All with the aim of quickly ruling out possible radioactive or chemical contaminations.

Preliminary result: no anomalies

The first analyses, according to the military, show no radioactive residues in seawater and no unusual result in the Can Pere Antoni sand. In short: all clear – at least for the moment. They emphasize these are standardized precautionary samples taken whenever nuclear-powered ships dock.

The carrier itself should leave the bay by Wednesday afternoon, according to authorities. Until then the samples remain in laboratories for further analysis; follow-up checks are planned so no one is surprised later.

Why this is routine

GOVRA is not a new name for Mallorca. The unit regularly works in ports where nuclear-powered ships dock – for example Rota, Cartagena or Algeciras. Earlier deployments of the specialists were also aimed at checking for possible leaks after submarines or other ships had technical problems.

The mood in the city is relaxed but attentive. Tourists keep strolling, children play on the beach, and restaurants on the promenade prepare for the evening business. The authorities communicate transparently: precaution yes, panic no.

What happens now

Further laboratory results will follow in the coming days. If something is found somewhere, the responsible parties will inform immediately and take action. Until then: the checks ran professionally and without particular incidents.

Those living or working along the coast can follow developments on the Navy's official channels. And: a little curiosity today perhaps was felt by everyone passing the sea.